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October 22 - The Daily Photo Challenge - Prompt:
Dead

🔴 6 pts

#OminousOctober
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A great look at some Maori myths wrapped in a present day mystery. I was only familiar with the Maui story previously. (The Disney version.) I really liked that it was completely unpredictable. I would read more by this author. The narrator was excellent as well.

"It's the shape of the story that matters."

Started today and am already excited to see where this is going. This one takes place in New Zealand.

Heads up to everyone who, like me, picked up this book because it was featured in one of those "LGBTQ YA Books" lists: no one is (confirmed) trans; there is one ace and one gay, neither of which are key protags, one of which is permanently off-screen.
Still, the book isn't entirely disappointing. Having known nothing about Maori myth that I didn't see in Moana, this book was informative and fresh, on top of being engaging, thrilling, and powerful.

I love this Morris YA Debut award finalist and reread it yearly. It starts out feeling like a story about high school life but when the Maori mythology kicks in and literally comes to life, it really becomes something extraordinary. I have a soft spot for New Zealand so the setting is a definite draw, but anyone who likes myths in real life will find this engaging.
#booktober #debutnovel #debutnovels